THE LAST KEEPER

Two weeks later, Sagiri sat through his fourth council meeting since the festival. The council was so hot to the point of tipping over. Apart from the fifteen main council members of the south. The council had more than a hundred members. Each council member had at least five members on their panel. There were still other council members from different departments.

The novelty of having a new Supreme Chief had finally begun to wear off, replaced by the reality of governing an entire continent. The marriage matter had thankfully not been raised again, though the way Elder Maresha occasionally glanced at him suggested the old man was merely waiting for the right opportunity.

Unfortunately, that was the least of Sagiri’s problems. The former Supreme Chief’s disappearance had left a mountain of unfinished affairs behind. Trade disputes. Border disagreements. Tribal petitions. Tax reforms. Military appointments. Ancient agreements that required renewal. Matters that had been neglected for years were suddenly appearing before him in stacks high enough to hide a grown man.

Since the festival, he had barely rested. Every time he finished one matter, three more appeared in its place. Even his seclusion had effectively ended despite his condition. The pain remained. Some days were better than others, but it never truly left. He simply learned to function while carrying it.

The council chamber itself had become quieter over the past weeks. The elders had slowly adjusted to Sagiri’s presence. The chiefs argued less. People spoke more carefully. The reality that the young man sitting at the head of the chamber possessed the relics of all five tribes had settled firmly into everyone’s minds.

"...which brings us to the western caravan routes," one elder was saying.

Sagiri listened with half an ear while reviewing a report in front of him.

"The merchants request military escorts."

"They can pay for them," Zifara replied immediately. Several chiefs nodded. Several merchants present at the lower council sat looking offended. The argument began. Sagiri rubbed the bridge of his nose. Another one. It seemed every discussion somehow became an argument.

"The request is approved," he said.

The chamber instantly fell silent.

"The merchants will cover half the cost. The South will cover the remainder. The routes benefit everyone." The elder blinked, and the merchants blinked. Zifara looked mildly disappointed that a fight had been avoided.

"Next." Papers shifted. Another matter was brought forward, then another, then another. Hours passed while the men and women of the council tore each other apart. By the time the sun began lowering outside the council chamber windows, even the elders looked exhausted.

Sagiri somehow looked worse. The dark circles beneath his eyes had become permanent companions. His complexion remained pale despite spending time beneath the desert sun. Yet he continued reviewing reports one after another without complaint. Then Elder Maresha slowly rose from his seat.

The old man rarely stood unless he intended to say something important. The chamber quieted. Maresha looked around the room. Then his gaze settled on Sagiri.

"Before we conclude today’s session, there is one matter that concerns me." The elder’s expression was unusually serious. "For two weeks, we have searched, and there is no trace of the former Supreme Chief that has been found. A former supreme chief knows too much about the south. She cannot be allowed to disappear. What if she sells our secrets?"

That immediately had everyone’s attention. The woman had vanished the very day she surrendered her authority. It was as though she had simply walked out of history. Maresha folded his hands behind his back.

"It was clear she was not ready to give away her position, but her disappearance cannot be allowed. She needs to be found before it is too late." Maresha said, and there were several nods.

"What are you scared of. Anyone who attacks the south will die. It doesn’t matter what she knows or who she tells. As long as I am alive, I will just kill her and her minions. I should just kill her." Sagiri said silently. The ice in his voice could not be mistaken, and there was silence before there were nods.

"But what if..." Maresha started, but Sagiri cut him off.

"What if I die?" Sagiri basked, and everyone’s eyes widened. Elder Maresha threw himself to the ground in fear.

"I dare not curse the chief. You are still young and full of health. I meant to say, what if she has another way?" Maresha asked.

"Whatever way she uses, I will kill her. Or do you think me weak?" Sagiri asked.

"I dare not. You are the keeper and holder of the five relics. " You are strong," Maresha.

"Well then..." Sagiri said." You may rise. Now on to the last matter. Sagiri glanced down at the final document before him.

"The Tatani cannot continue staying in the North." The statement immediately ignited the chamber. Several council members rose to their feet at once. Objections came from every direction. The move would be expensive.

The Tatani had lived in Tagayia and Safaya for decades. Their lands, homes, and livelihoods were there. Others argued that bringing an entire tribe into Thazir would disrupt the balance of the city. The debate grew louder and louder until it became another shouting match. Sagiri listened for a few moments before finally raising a hand.

The room fell silent.

"I was not asking." The words landed heavily. "The Tatani will be in Thazir before I depart for my clan lands to perform the final rites." Several elders looked unhappy, but none interrupted.

"Since I am their Chief, I declare it." More silence followed. Then one council member cautiously rose.

"Chief, if the Tatani move south, their representation must also be addressed." Sagiri nodded.

"It already has."

The council member frowned. "How?" Sagiri placed the document down.

"The Tatani will receive a seat on this council." The chamber erupted again. This time, even some of the main council members looked shocked. A tribe gaining a permanent council seat was no small matter. Sagiri waited for the noise to settle.

"Their new Kun will occupy it." That silenced the room. "I can no longer serve as their Chief. I am the Supreme Chief of the South. The Tatani require a leader of their own." His crimson eyes swept across the chamber. "They will have one. And they will have a voice in this council." No one argued after that. They had all heard the finality in his tone. The matter was decided.

The Tatani were coming into the city.

"I will personally make sure they are settled," Azir said brightly, and Zifara groaned. The boy could never read a room to save his life